WB-supported biogas plant comes into operation in Dhangadhi

Dhangadhi- Organic fertliser and cooking gas production has begun from a biogas plant based in the Dhangadhi Sub Metropolis-2 in Kailali. The Alternative Energy Promotion Centre implemented the project supported by the World Bank. The WB financially and technically supported the project.

Biodegradable waste has been used for the Plant. According to Dev Training and Management Service Centre’s executive director Rabin Pant, the commercial production of the fuel has begun. The daily production capacity of the Plant is 3,500 kilos (fertilizer), but the present generation is 2,000 kilos each day.

The production capacity of cooking gas is 1,000 kilograms daily and the present production is 500 kilograms. The market price of the fertilizer is Rs 20 per kg and that of the cooking gas is Rs 1,450 per cylinder.

“Though we are capable of operating the Plant to its full capacity, the production has been limited due to the absence of the market. The production will be increased based on the demand ratio,” he said. The raw materials for the Plant are 30,000 kilos of waste being collected by the local government, the waste collected from the agricultural and industrial sectors to operate the waste-to-energy project.

The Plant was established last year at around Rs 210 million following the collaborative efforts of the WB, the Centre, Dhangadhi Promotion Centre and the private sector. The government has a 40 per cent investment and the Dev Training and Management Service Centre has a 60 per cent investment in the Plant. The Centre will hand the ownership of the Plant to the local government after 20 years of its operation.